By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
Recreational-marijuana facilities can continue to operate in Constantine, after voters decided to support a measure retaining that option.
By a margin of 396 to 74, voters on Tuesday opposed a request that would have amended two sections of the village ordinance related to the issue.
The amended ordinance would have banned all components of recreational marijuana.
In essence, the 396 “no” votes mean there will be no change to the ordinance.
The vote does not affect medical-marijuana operations, which will continue to operate under established rules.
The vote’s outcome mattered greatly to Shari Stewart of White Pigeon. Before The Dude Abides provisioning shop opened in Constantine, Stewart’s most viable option was in Kalamazoo County. In addition to a shorter drive, Stewart prefers to patronize and financially support businesses in St. Joseph County.
By Jef Rietsma
Journal Correspondent
Voters in Constantine will decide May 4 whether to allow recreational-marijuana facilities to continue operating within the village.
The matter appears on the ballot after a resident-led petition qualified the measure to be decided by Constantine’s 1,258 registered voters.
Village manager Mark Honeysett said a “no” vote allows adult-use marijuana businesses to continue. A “yes” vote would end such operations.
Regardless of the outcome, Honeysett said the vote will have no impact on the village’s medical marijuana operations.
“If the ‘yes’ votes prevail, it would eliminate recreational entirely,” he said. “Within the village, we have three of the five components: grow, processing and selling. So, again, if the referendum to eliminate recreational passes, then all components of recreational facilities in the village would be affected.”